A rather embarrassing episode of forgetting the Eurail pass back in Paris helped uncover something much more valuable— the importance of spending time with yourself, in a foreign city, impromptu. Bergen is a neatly packed town—green hills dotted with the most picturesque and colourful homes. But, who lives in these homes?

The Kunsthalle (art exhibitions open to everyone) revealed so much about the city to me—it’s role in World War II, and the history of the recent migrations. Through music and sounds, the ‘O Superman’ exhibition spoke about ‘Lipstick and Gas Masks’ (the role of women in the Egyptian Revolution of 2012, by Mashid Mohadjerin), ‘Syria, a Travel Guide to Disappearance’ by Pier Tamburelli and Noura Al Sayeh (with little photographs of busy bazaars and bustling streets-pre war, of course) and alternative politics (calls for revolution- a need to open your eyes to the exploitatively alienating capitalist regime).

Art is indeed all over the city—underpasses, bridges, abandoned factories and free walls. And all so student-friendly. A Bergen card gives you access to most art museums, buses and short treks. If you plan to take a leisurely break from the otherwise break-neck speed of touring the continent, I’d say skip the fjords and treks and stay over longer at Bergen! @ Bergen Harbor, Norway

]]>https://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2018/01/31/bergen/feed/027332048_10208894529760063_3301685425285773186_nbongfrombombayOslohttps://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/12/20/753/
https://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/12/20/753/#respondWed, 20 Dec 2017 11:05:03 +0000http://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/?p=753Read more "Oslo"]]>Day 9 (Sept 5, 2017): [Trip 1] The joke about how high the expenses here are is that Swedes basically fill a truckload of beer from Germany to Sweden, but for the unfortunate ones working in Oslo, just a 6-pack would be allowed by customs at Norway. The city appeared damp, lifeless and cold, at first sight. That’s until we reached the world final of the futsal tournament! Bangs, cheers and a spirit of comradeship cutting across countries and cultures. There’s no greater joy than painting your face with the tri-colour at a foreign location! The city is under perpetual construction and much like it was rebuilt from the ashes in the past, its face is constantly changing.

This was all I knew about Oslo and given how disappointed I was with the city (travel fatigue?), I thought of writing no more. That is, until I met this Indian couple who lives in Oslo at the Montana Hostel in Bergen, Norway. The following is their most unique addition to what we know of the country. The Norwegian people follow the laws of Jante- “you shouldn’t ever believe you’re more or less than anyone-it’s a very egalitarian society, and equality in all respects is taken very seriously! You can find two men, legally married, trying to change the diaper of their adopted kid, in the gym, while they’re on their 6-month sabbatical from work! Also, the king is expected to stand in line like everyone else and is treated just like everyone else (no special treatment/red light beacons). It’s also a completely trust-based society. You’ll find your wallet even an hour after leaving it at the tram.” The flipside is that it’s insanely difficult to find a home! Because it takes time and effort to build trust. “It’s not like in other places where you can get your way by paying more. They need to accept you, you need to get accepted into their inner circle first!” The other side of the unaffordability of the city is that Norwegians are happy to pay 40% taxes, because they know that if they don’t have a job tomorrow, they would get back 64% of their income from the government. They believe paying higher prices is a form of doing service to their country. Even barbers and drivers earn a decent wage, because they believe underpaying would always hurt someone. The joke is that it’s cheaper to take a flight and get your hair cut abroad (Riga, maybe) instead of getting your hair cut in Norway! They believe free access to nature is everyone’s right-it’s not surprising to see people get off work early and go for a light trek. Another joke is that if you’re convinced, you’d rather stay in a Norwegian jail (read three-star hotel amenities: gym included!) rather than any other jail, most of which treat human rights violations like a joke. Living in Oslo will change you in more ways than one. The only drawback is that things are spread apart, unlike a Riga that is much more compact. Futsal,fjords and fitness!

Visit: Vigeland Parken (every sculpture is naked here, except that of the sculptor as it was his belief that clothes help identify and discriminate. All he wanted the observer to feel was the raw, universal emotion in his statues), Oslo Tiger (in front of the central station), Holmenkollen (ski)-take the No. 1 T-bahn (train) to Holmenkollen, museum island-bus no. 30, near the Oslo tiger-next to the central station-Viking, folk, Fram (ship) museum, Take the no. 1 T-Bahn-starts from Oslo S-take the T-Bahn (Frognerseteren) -sightseeing Oslo, No. 12 Tram-for a city tour, Boat tour to the islands from Oslo Peace Centre, National Gallery (Oslo)

Pro-tip: Take a 24-h pass (in front of the tiger sculpture at Oslo S)

Credits: Prangya Parimita Sahoo

[Trip 2]: Museums and Art Galleries

A city for artists! The Scream, Madonna and Sick Child by Munch. The painting is a “strange devotional picture glorifying decadent love. The cult of the strong woman who reduces man to subjection gives the figure of woman monumental proportions, but it also makes a demon of her.” (Hofmann)
Sigrun Rafter, an art historian at the Oslo National Gallery suggests that Munch intended to represent the woman in the life-making act of intercourse, with the sanctity and sensuality of the union captured by Munch. The usual golden halo of Mary has been replaced with a red halo symbolizing the love and pain duality. The viewer’s viewpoint is that of the man who is making love with her. Even in this unusual pose, she embodies some of the key elements of canonical representations of the Virgin: she has a quietness and a calm confidence about her. Her eyes are closed, expressing modesty, but she is simultaneously lit from above; her body is seen, in fact, twisting away from the light so as to catch less of it, even while she faces it with her eyes.

]]>https://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/12/20/753/feed/025488156_10208640327565167_487462931593104076_obongfrombombayStockholmhttps://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/10/25/stockholm/
https://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/10/25/stockholm/#respondWed, 25 Oct 2017 08:09:31 +0000http://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/?p=726Read more "Stockholm"]]>Day 8 (Sept 4, 2017)- Sparklingly lit streets, and an old-world charm that is almost impossible to match. Stockholm works hard to preserve its traditions-the royal palace, the old quarter (Gamla Stan) and the numerous cathedrals vying to outdo each other in grandeur. The highlight of the evening was the Viking-themed restaurant, however. With Mead (honey infused wine), a wholesome meat platter and Nordic music, the setting just sent you back to the good old days when all you needed for entertainment was a raiding ship and some good fighting men. Quick trivia-all those horns on Viking helmets-they’re fake! Wagner, a German opera composer, added this little flourish to make his Vikings look all devilish and evil, for his plays. Add a curious historical society dressed in 17th century mediaveal dressing, and you’d almost never want to leave the underground make-believe world that the restaurant, Aifur, and its patrons, have created. Vikings, venison and vintage!

]]>https://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/10/25/stockholm/feed/022713255_10208318618682646_4421814303890184747_obongfrombombayHelsinkihttps://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/10/19/helsinki/
https://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/10/19/helsinki/#respondThu, 19 Oct 2017 11:11:52 +0000http://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/?p=712Read more "Helsinki"]]>Day 6 and 7 (Sept 2 and Sept 3, 2017)- Helsinki is a city meant for walkers. We got off our cruise to be immediately greeted with the scent of cooked salmon,eel and a fish akin to the ‘shutki‘ in Bengal. The church right next to the docks was a scene of calm and devotion. Winding our way through lanes with towering, intricately carved buildings, we headed to what was the most Finnish experience of them all—the sauna. It’s pretty daunting at first, because you enter butt-naked into a steaming room only to plunge into ice-cold water a few minutes later. Shedding inhibitions— both literally and metaphorically! Exhilerating and refreshing. Sauna, sea-food and ships

]]>https://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/10/19/helsinki/feed/022548987_10208285976386609_7897088498937633437_obongfrombombayCopenhagenhttps://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/09/26/copenhagen/
https://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/09/26/copenhagen/#respondTue, 26 Sep 2017 08:01:03 +0000http://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/?p=699Read more "Copenhagen"]]>Day 4 and 5 (Aug 31 and Sept 1, 2017)- Copenhagen’s Nyhavn is an eclectic mix of languages, world food (all overlooking the insanely beautiful port) and colorful buildings. Bustling waters full of kayaks, pleasure boats, tourist jetties and commercial ships—all trying to navigate the impossibly low bridges (only a prayer and skilled manoeveuring can save you in the high tide!) Also Danish hospitality really had us impressed. We forgot a shoe at one of the bus stops and surprisingly found it neatly at the same stop over an hour later (with a promise from the bus driver that they’d look for it as soon as possible). The Danes are also extremely open-minded: with most nightlife hotspots sporting the rainbow flag and an entire (independent) former military complex turned into an enclave for lovers of the green herb (Freetown Christiania). Also, cycles. They’re everywhere. Owning a cycle seems to be a style statement here, not a car! Don’t forget to get drunk on all the beer at Carlsberg. With the number of Michelin-starred restaurants, nightclubs, beer microbreweries and football fanatics-it’s no wonder that all work stops latest by 6 p.m.! Don’t forget to try out Danish pastries and ice-creams at Nyhavn-they’re to die for! Bicycles, beer and Bakken!

–Visit: Rosenborg Castle and park, Nyhavn (for airy cafés, canal tours and stunning sunset views), Carlsberg factory (entre fee of EUR 10), Freetown Christiania (all things outrageous!), Church of Denmark, Amargertorv (Central plaza),Christiansborg Palace, Strøget (shopping area), Tivoli Gardens (closed for a few days in September owing to preparations for Halloween), Copenhagen Canal Tour (at a reasonable EUR 14/person— and it’s much more fun AFTER you’ve tasted all that the Carlsberg Museum has to offer

Pro-tip: The Copenhagen Travel Card is a great saver and allows you to use several modes of public transportation economically. And DO try leveraging your friends who live in Copenhagen as AirBNB/hostels are prohibitively expensive!

]]>https://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/09/26/copenhagen/feed/022046545_10208159601707321_6795439226166770659_nbongfrombombayValenciahttps://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/09/21/valencia/
https://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/09/21/valencia/#respondWed, 20 Sep 2017 21:57:59 +0000http://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/?p=691Read more "Valencia"]]>Day 2 and 3 (Aug 29 and Aug 30, 2017)- Valencia’s first impression for us—food! The 100 montaditos at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento is a must-try. The Torres de Quart overlooks the results of centuries of colonial plunder— churches, towers and magnificent arches. It’s not surprising that the churches often remind you of the beaches of Goa or plazas in South America and Mexico. What really had us hooked though was the sangria—no other concoction compares to this! Later in the day, making our way to the AirBNB proved to be quite an adventure. Walking the streets barefoot (thanks to a particularly determined wave at the beach and flimsy slippers-padyatra anyone?!), asking almost every café owner for a building that didn’t exist (and for the washroom—water and toilets—golden resources here) and having the owner walk out at the exact moment we gave up trying every variation of the pronunciation of the street, we’ve seen it all! Working on my rudimentary Spanish, we wound our way around town (including the Puente de Aragón), only to resort to almost getting a lift from the police to our destination! Also, the locals are super friendly and itching to chat. I had to save myself from a half-hour commentary on the plight of Valencia’s traffic by exclaiming- ‘soy principiante’. The Playa de la Malvarossa gives you a glimpse of the Mediterranean azure, and the chance to people-watch fit locals on their daily jog. Later in the evening, we headed to the Avenida de Blasco Ibañez-a street buzzing with the loud chatter of young, hungry patrons. We loved the Spanish concept of small plates filled to the brim with a diversity of meats. Also, careful with those jars of sangria-they’re deceptively smooth! The next day, we headed to buñol for the ‘tamatar barse’ version of the Indian festival of colours— Holi. The Spanish are one of the most lively people around— the festival is a mad rush of trucks filled with rotten tomatoes, walls plastered red and a joyous mix of unabashed revelry. Paella, Sangria and Tapas!

-Avenida de Blasco Ibañez – where you eat— it’s a street full of students and has similar restaurants. The best ones are: Sofra – Shawarma (Kebaps), Friends Restaurant (Pizza)
-Upper club, Gran via del Marqués del Túria
[language exchange meet, you can also find local company to come to the club later at night ]

When you visit your hotel room, you should have already bought all your relevant drinks from Mercadona before 10 p.m.

]]>https://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/09/21/valencia/feed/021106891_10208013767141548_4267736230952742033_nbongfrombombayParishttps://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/09/21/capturing-it-all-eurotrip-2017/
https://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/09/21/capturing-it-all-eurotrip-2017/#respondWed, 20 Sep 2017 21:44:40 +0000http://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/?p=677Read more "Paris"]]>Day 1 (Aug 28, 2017): Paris is the throbbing centre of the tourist haj. It’s no wonder that the Eiffel Tower and its environs often resemble the bustling streets of Kolkata or New Delhi, even late into the night! The city has crawled its way towards the airport-and consequently quaint Parisian ‘maisons’ give way to nondescript building blocks as you move away from the centre. We got a taste of French politics, when policemen on swanky bikes cleared an entire lane for a minister and his long-tailed entourage, while our hapless driver was just left cussing. John (Jean) is like many chauffeurs in Paris- a migrant from Haïti, attracted to Paris for its golden promises, yet confined to the invisible ‘banlieues’, away from the picture postcard streets we’re all so familiar with. Walking towards the Trocadéra later in the evening, we watched a spontaneous performance of the Tango—skilled footwork, passionate glances and a theatre setting to die for. A welcome distraction from the ambling tourists determined to catch the right amount of romance while determined local residents criss-cross paths while on their daily jog. The night couldn’t have ended better—wine in a café, under romantic golden-hued streetlights. But there’s much more to Paris. The sheer diversity in cuisines, from Italian to Chinese to Korean to Mexican to Indian, is just a testament to the fact that some tourists just can’t get themselves to leave. Spontaneity. Joie de vivre. Elegance.

-[We] Visit[ed]:

For the aspiring Haussmann [Architecture]: La Tour Eiffel and the surrounding Champ de Mars, Le Trocadéro, L’Arc de Triomphe, Les Champs Elysées (probably catch the Lido Show—a cabaret and quite a shocking one for most first-timers to Europe!), l’Opéra de Paris, Sacré Coeur and Montmartre, Notre Dame de Paris, les Catacombes, Fragonard Museum of Perfume

Gourmandise [Food and Beverages]: Les Deux Magots (to fulfill all your dreams of breathing in the same air as Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre)

]]>https://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/09/21/capturing-it-all-eurotrip-2017/feed/021083497_10207999837833324_7305749297943008795_obongfrombombayFood, Fests and Fun: Bali and Kuala Lumpurhttps://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/06/23/food-fests-and-fun-bali-and-kuala-lumpur/
https://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/2017/06/23/food-fests-and-fun-bali-and-kuala-lumpur/#commentsFri, 23 Jun 2017 15:49:15 +0000http://bongfrombombay.wordpress.com/?p=626Read more "Food, Fests and Fun: Bali and Kuala Lumpur"]]>Considering a trip down the bustling streets of Kuta or the sky-kissing sky-scrapers of KL? Read on for what were major highlights for me.

Day 1: The interplay of good and evil, and how we must recognise the inherent harmony in the two; good cannot exist without bad. The theme was aptly played by the Barong dance-where Sadewa (Sahdeva) successfully sends Rangda (a woman with magical powers; possibly an adaptation of the Hindu goddess Ma Kali) to heaven by vanquishing her. Interestingly, the actors also doubled up as shopkeepers/rice paddy cultivators after playing out their roles on stage! Also, Bali is an architect’s paradise. And luwak coffee (the strongest variety) is actually civet ! @ Kuta/Kalimantan (Mount Batur)/ Ubud Village, Bali, Indonesia

Day 1.5-2:You don’t have to be rich to own a picturesque home. The whole family chips in to build the home. Even kids start working (almost every guide/chauffeur/shopkeeper we met was in their early 20’s), to support their own college education. Family, society and the village are all- a very collectivist culture indeed. Also, the radio blares Bollywood numbers that many Indians would find hard to name. And 2 times a day, the radio plays to Gayatri mantra and other chants. It just seems that everyone on the island values peace, togetherness and the simple joys of life very highly. The way they celebrate New Year’s is also very interesting. The whole island takes on a deserted look-no streetlights/cars/radio/TV/vehicles on the road or even plane arrivals/departures. It’s meant to be a day of yoga/self-reflection, and disconnecting from everything!

I want to explore!: Foot and head massages (much-required after a long day at the beach and that too, on foot!) abound the streets, bargain clothes shopping spree, wooden carvings (unique to Bali), street-side architectural marvels/temples, Ubud Village (for the artsy kinds-coffee plantations, art villages, the most beautiful villas ever and a fun bike trail), Mount Batur (fancy lunch in front of an active volcano, anyone?), Ulu Watu(the most romantic temple by the sea). You could try water-sports, but I’d say they’re way too commercialised. Try an off-beat open-sea dive, or there’s always the Andamans

Last leg- Day 7: The similarity is striking. The British built a bustling metropolis in what was a swamp, with the Selangor Club (and a cricket ground,of course) in the centre of town, opposite an Indo-Saracenic-esque palace (Sultan Abdul Samad building). Just a street away, decrepit stalls selling cheap flights, flats and food (most installations are illegal) of migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Singapore and South India. Nearby, signs of a modern financial megalopolis with every building competing to grab every available inch of the skyline. Compare this to Oval Maidan, High Court and Mumbai University, BKC in Mumbai. British imperialists sure know how to make their mark. @ Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Best time to visit: All-year round except for March-April and September-November (unless you love the rains and are willing to get drenched!)

Best places to visit:

Where can I grab some authentic street food?: Berjaya Times Square has most all international brands (Starbucks, anyone?). But I’d suggest walking the streets and just trying out one of the tiny Chinese shops (no, not Indian-Chinese). Very healthy, very pocket-friendly and try learning to use chopsticks- you might never return to Western cutlery again!

I want to explore!:Berjaya Times Square, Batu Caves (look out for the South Indian restaurant that has a coveted seat where the mega-super-star-almost-divine Rajinikanth sat while shooting for Kabali!), Merdeka Square, and (for the ones wanting to brag back home, but in my opinion clichéd, and slightly over-commercialised Petronas Towers, Genting Highlands– large,expansive malls with almost no sign of sunlight, and apparently the largest hotel in the world). Try looking out for local chocolate shops and for really inexpensive local restaurants over the fancy, touristy, wallet-emptying restaurants!

This weekend, I thought of penning down my interview experience at the IIM’s. While I am well aware that there are a plethora of sites you can consult for this, I just thought this might help some of my juniors pick up cues from a context that is more specific to them.

The Hallowed Portals of IIMB

Preparing for the interviews can be divided into 3 broad segments (just love breaking things up into 3’s, read the Minto Principle for this ) –

-Life

Family: Ah, interesting name, what does it mean? Tell me a little about yourself *in undertones: without rattling out your CV*- where are your parents from? Have you travelled extensively as a kid? Interesting memories from your childhood/school?

Cities you’ve lived in: Oh, you’re Bong. Tell me 5 interesting facts about Kolkata. Have you strolled along College Street and spent hours at the Indian Coffee House? Do you know the top 5 roadside eateries? East Bengal football stars? Can you sing us a Rabindra Sangeet?

Undergraduate institute: BITS Pilani, eh. Name a few famous alumni. Shoot at me, what do you know of the Birla’s, Pilani or of the Aditya Birla Group?

A typical room in the old block at IIMB

-Labour

Academics: Ah, I see Chemical Engineering on your degree. Can you tell me if you can create a battery that runs on alcohol? *stumped for a second, and tries to desperately recall pages from ‘Why Don’t Penguins’ Feet Freeze?‘*

Work Experience: How did you exactly save US$ 200 mn for the company?! Natural-born leader? Natural-born leader? Enlighten me. (use the STAR method to answer-it’s specific and succinct, and a life-saver)

The Central Pergola and Library at IIMB

-Laissez-Faire

Opinions: Read up, and well. The Hindu, The Indian Express, The Economist- and not only for the interviews. Have an opinion, and be ready to make cogent arguments to defend what you say. Often, the topic for the Written Ability Test (WAT) is a trigger for this conversation.

*Note: The questions above are representational and a figment of my imagination. However, interviews have had quirkier questions, and even weirder requests for solo dance/singing/origami making requests, depending on your hobby.

The underlying psyche of the interviewer, at least to my mind, was- Why do you want to do an MBA? And why are we your natural choice? Every answer to the last question must answer some aspect of the theme above.

I interviewed with IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta between the 6th and 22nd of February, 2016 in Mumbai.

At the Ahmedabad interview, as soon as I entered, I was promptly asked, ‘So, where are you placed?’ After mentioning that I have an offer from BCG, the professor seemed visibly taken aback! But then he went on to ask me why, after Chemical Engineering, I’d chosen to venture into Strategic Consulting. After a long, 20 minute discussion, I managed to convince them that BITS Pilani was not into manufacturing engineers. 4 years at Pilani had given me the opportunity to seek out choices and take decisions for myself. The older of the two professors asked me, ‘but how will you serve your country better if you’re giving up on doing what you studied?’ In my defense, I proposed that my country would be served better if I were given the freedom to pursue a career that is the perfect alignment of what I’m good at and what I love doing, not if I’m artificially labeled a Chemical Engineer and force-fitted in a petrochemical plant.

They were in the mood to grill. So they asked me what would happen of the seat I had just snatched away from another candidate.

I told them that I had gotten admission to BITS Pilani through my own mettle, through the standardised exam called the BITSAT- and that is probably the fairest way to allot seats in a college. Moreover, after gaining a strong network and a headstart in the knowledge of business processes by working at BCG, I would be able to start-up a social venture of my own-which fits in perfectly with what i see myself doing in the long haul.
And there’s even a precedent for that. Avanti fellows, is a start-up that has helped a sizeable number of underprivileged kids get access to quality coaching for the IIT exam, and it is entirely headed by BCG alums!

At this response, I believe, my interviewers seemed quite happy and offered me chocolates placed on their table!

For the Bangalore interview, the panel was certainly less aggressive than the one at Ahmedabad. They focused on two courses I had done at BITS- Modern History and Modern Political Concepts. They cross-questioned me on a variety of issues: what I thought was the meaning of ‘modern’ history, what the most recent political wave was, and if India had a Renaissance, who was it led by (Raja Ram Mohun Roy and Nazrul Geeti- Ma should take the credit for my knowing about the Bengali Renaissance!)

In the end, the lady professor remarked, ‘it seems like you’ve been studying history, and not engineering, all your life!!’
That, in short, was a compliment that, quite literally, made my day.

The final interview at Kolkata was dominated by the interviewers conversing with me in Bangla, the moment they read out my name. After offering a spread of food to me (it was an 8 a.m. interview day), they settled down to ask me about myself. I mentioned that my long-term career goal was in Strategic Consulting and that was what they picked up on. They tested me on how much conviction I had in what I said: so everything from what you know about management consulting to the technical definitions of management terms like ‘product placement’ and ‘positioning’-probably because in my answers to generic questions, I used a lot of jargon. When the professor said, ‘your answer is smart, but not the exact definition’, I said, ‘that is precisely why I’m sitting here for the IIM Calcutta interview! While my knowledge of things is restricted to what I’ve chanced across in articles, the solid theoretical base of what it takes to build a profitable, sustainable and efficient organization can perhaps be best learned through this PGP at IIM Calcutta!

I’m hoping for the best as I was honest and open all throughout my 3 interviews. And hope you get an admit letter from the institute that makes you belong.